Page 37 of Something Rad
“Tom said I didn’t have to.”
The covers are suddenly pulled back, and I see my mom standing over me in her pink Dolly’s Diner waitress uniform. I notice she’s bedazzled herself a new name tag this week, the letters ofSherristanding out in hot pink crystals. “Who the heck is Tom?” she asks.
“Pete.”
“Huh?”
“Maverick,” I mumble, turning away.
My mom grabs my shoulder, spinning me back to her. “Hon, are you feeling okay?” she asks, her light brown curls tickling my face as she leans over and places her hand on my forehead, feeling for my temperature.
“Negative, ghost rider,” I tell her.
The reference finally seems to click, and Mom glances back at theTop Gunposter, shaking her head and fighting a smile. “What hurts?” she asks.
“My will to live.”
“Ah, right. I’ve heard that’s serious,” Mom nods, sarcastically. “Well, do you think it’ll sort itself out in the next,” she pauses, glancing at the clock, “four minutes?”
I let out a sigh, hesitating for just a moment before my head starts nodding involuntarily.
“That’s my girl,” Mom says, patting my cheek and hopping up off the bed.
I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. Mom is already handing me my Keds before I even have a chance to ask her to. “Gracias,” I say, taking them from her.
“De nada,” she replies, ruffling my hair. I’m pretty sure it’ll be an improvement at this point. “Alright, girlie, I gotta head out. Are you good?”
“I’m good,” I nod at her as I lace up my first shoe.
I can sense her hesitating in the doorway. “But, really, are you good?” she pushes. “Are classes okay? Do you need any help with anything? Need any money?”
“I’ve got it covered, Mom,” I reply, shaking my head. “Really, don’t stress about me.”
I can see the concern etched between my mom’s brows. “You know that’s not possible,” she says.
“Well, try your best,” I say, smiling at her.
Mom’s quiet for a moment before she speaks again. “Any update on the scholarship front?” she asks, not quite meeting my eyes.
“I’ve got it handled. Don’t worry,” I say. I can tell she doesn’t quite believe me, so I try again. “I’m…figuring some things out.”
“Okay, hon,” Mom says, smiling tightly. “I can swing by the community center tomorrow morning and see if there’s any new smaller award applications out. We can fill them out together this weekend?”
I feel my throat constrict. I know anything helps, but the small awards will just never cut it. They’re not what I need. Not theonethat I need. I’d never say that out loud though. She’s just trying to help. And I’ll let her. “Sure, Mom. That sounds great. Thanks.”
“Sure thing, baby girl,” she winks. “I’ll see ya tomorrow morning.” I notice her eyes shift to the side and then widen. “Sara Beth Cooper, is that a Jolt Cola?” she asks, pointing to my vanity.
“See ya, Mom!” I shout, jumping off my bed, flashing her a grin as I start to push the door closed.
She rolls her eyes at me, accepting defeat for today and spinning on her heel to leave. “I’m proud of you!” she calls over her shoulder as she walks out the front door, just as she does every single day.
I let out a deep breath, still holding on to the door handle, and glance at the clock, seeing I need to be outside in two minutes.
“Alright, Maverick,” I say, turning back to face the poster on the door, “let’s give Mom something to be proud of.”
I grab my backpack and head for the door.
* * *
